Doc Oc: Gadget or power?

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon May 14, 2012 10:58 am

Why do I pose this question? Well, your opinion could help me solve my dilemma on how best to handle just such an adversarial character. I'm fine with going either direction but worry that making core of the character's powers ONE easily destroyed peice of equipment could be just a little much of an Achilles Heal for the villain.

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Baelor · Post by **Baelor** » Mon May 14, 2012 1:40 pm

Good Question, Mr. Jupiter!

Are we allowed to comment, or are you just looking for poll results?

doktorelektron · Post by **doktorelektron** » Mon May 14, 2012 3:03 pm

I voted no. Let the tentacles live!

Saker · Post by **Saker** » Mon May 14, 2012 3:13 pm

I voted no, as well. One could imagine that the majority of Doc Oc's 100 hit points are in his tentacles.

Samuraidad · Post by **Samuraidad** » Mon May 14, 2012 9:07 pm

It's a "No" here as well.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon May 14, 2012 10:03 pm

Sorry Baelor. Yes comments are appreciated! Thanks.

So far 3 "No's". That's interesting. I'm wondering if this will continue to play out?

I made another villain a while back with a one-gadget sort of source for his powers and I had each different power set up as a Gadget. My thoughts on this were that players would be able to target and neutralize various abilities of the device that way.

It just didn't quite feel right to do the same thing with a Doc-Oc type villain. For instance, a player could have targetted his Extra-Limbs gadget and his Clinging and Stretching powers would also become moot.

Is there anyone out there willing set up a tent in the "Yes" camp?

Baelor · Post by **Baelor** » Tue May 15, 2012 8:20 am

I too would vote NO. And here are my thoughts on building Ol' Ock.

In the comics, the arms work far more like a suit of armour or similar. I would be tempted to build them as a suite of powers available in an alternate form. So they grant Ock extra limbs, enhanced Brawn and Agility, stretching, climbing, maybe deflection, but only when he is in OCK-FORM - wearing his arms. He gets the 'Normal' Disadvantage because when he isn't wearing his arms he is much easier to deal with [That's how they keep him incarcerated, right?].

It might be worthwhile to put a limitation on the alternate form to called shots that can neutralize his arms [Webbing, electricity, etc]; not sure about that one.

I don't recall many times when foes targeted Ocky's arms and managed to destroy or even damage them. Tying them up, gluing them together, though, was the usual way to defeat him.

I like Saker's idea that the 100 hits he has reflects Ock's arms as well as himself.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Wed May 16, 2012 6:26 am

Good points Baelor. Partial Immobilization (targetting the Extra Limbs) would be a great way of making Doc Oc vulnerable for a few pages (though, like you, I'm not sure a limitation would be needed for this - probably just an innovative player).

Thanks for the imput so far. I'm definately off the fence and in the "No" camp now.

Basic Action Super Heroes!

Doc Oc: Gadget or power?

If you were building DOCTOR OCTOPUS in BASH, would you make his tentacles a Gadget (and thereby trash-able by the players) or a ‘normal’ set of powers (like the POWER ARMOR archetype from the rulebook)? It’s the only thing that makes Dr. Octavius super!

Doc Oc: Gadget or power?